Read Novel Full Chapter 571: Next Steps
Chapter 571: Next Steps
The moment Lucas entered the chamber, both the King and the Empress rose from their seats.
The relief on their faces was immediate and genuine.
For all the victories achieved over the past few days, Lucas’s survival had remained a major concern.
The King crossed the room first.
“You look considerably better.”
Lucas smiled faintly.
“I feel considerably better too.”
The King laughed.
“That is good to hear.”
The Empress approached next. Unlike the King, she was calmer in her expression, but Lucas could still see the relief in her eyes.
She examined him briefly, likely assessing the effectiveness of the healing treatments she and Jennifer had performed over the past two days.
“You should still be resting.”
Lucas sighed.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
That earned a chuckle from the King.
The atmosphere in the room remained warm for several minutes as they exchanged greetings and discussed his recovery. The King of Blackmare wasn’t present, he was with his associates discussing their matters.
The King thanked him personally for his role in rescuing the Emperor of Rus.
The Empress expressed her satisfaction at seeing him awake and recovering properly.
Lucas, in turn, informed them that Patrick, Bartho, Darmian, and the others had already arrived safely.
The King nodded.
“They’ve already been accommodated.”
A short while later, servants entered the chamber carrying refreshments and additional chairs.
The royal meeting chamber gradually became busier.
More military maps were brought in.
Reports were placed on the large table.
Messengers entered and departed periodically.
It was clear that despite the recent victory, the war itself was far from over.
Then the doors opened once more.
Everyone turned.
The Emperor of Rus entered.
Though still weak, he looked significantly better than when Lucas had last seen him in captivity.
The brutal wounds on his back had been treated.
The lingering effects of the suppressing collar were gradually fading.
His posture remained somewhat frail, but his eyes were clear and alert.
Several attendants attempted to guide him toward a seat.
The Emperor waved them away.
“I will rest later.”
His voice was firm despite his weakened condition.
The King frowned slightly.
“You should not be pushing yourself.”
“The kingdom can wait for my recovery.”
The Emperor slowly approached the table.
“The war cannot.”
Nobody argued after that.
The old ruler lowered himself into a chair and looked around the room.
For a few moments, silence settled.
Three rulers.
One rescued kingdom.
One reclaimed kingdom.
And a war that was rapidly approaching its next phase.
The Emperor of Rus finally broke the silence.
“I want a full update.”
The King nodded.
A servant immediately unfurled a large military map across the table.
The Empress stepped forward.
“Our situation is significantly better than it was a week ago.”
Her finger moved across the map.
“Lechia has been completely reclaimed.”
The Emperor nodded.
That much he already knew.
“The remaining enemy forces that occupied the kingdom have either been destroyed, captured, or driven out.”
The King continued.
“Supply routes through Lechia are operational again. Trade and logistics are gradually recovering.”
The Emperor listened attentively.
Then his gaze shifted toward another section of the map.
“Rus.”
The room became more serious.
The King folded his arms.
“Rus remains under enemy control.”
The Emperor’s expression hardened.
That answer clearly bothered him despite already knowing it.
The Empress continued.
“However, your rescue has significantly weakened the legitimacy of the usurper.”
The Emperor nodded slowly.
That was true.
His mere survival changed the political landscape.
Any nobles sitting on the fence now had a legitimate ruler to rally behind.
The usurper could no longer claim that the Emperor was dead or permanently imprisoned.
The King pointed toward several marked locations.
“We are also receiving reinforcements.”
Lucas immediately paid attention.
The King continued.
“Nyx and Henrietta completed their mission successfully.”
A small smile appeared on the King’s face.
“Their efforts have exceeded expectations.”
Several markers on the map were indicated.
“Two thousand soldiers have already arrived.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened slightly.
The King continued.
“More are on the way. Kingdoms that were hesitant before are now openly supporting our coalition.”
The Empress nodded.
“Lechia’s successful liberation proved that the enemy can be defeated.”
The Emperor leaned back thoughtfully.
For the first time since arriving, a faint spark of optimism appeared in his eyes.
Then he looked directly at Lucas.
“You have done more than you realize.”
Lucas shook his head.
“It wasn’t me alone.”
“No.”
The Emperor nodded.
“It never is.”
His gaze swept across the room.
“But without your mission, I would still be in chains.”
The room fell silent.
The Emperor’s expression became serious once more.
“The usurper now knows I am free.”
“Yes,” the King answered.
“He also knows Lechia has been lost.”
The Empress added another piece.
“And he knows his enemies are gathering.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
“Which means he will not remain passive.”
Everyone in the room understood immediately.
The enemy had suffered major setbacks.
Lechia had been lost.
The Emperor had escaped.
Ken had been defeated.
Reinforcements were arriving.
Those were not the actions of a victorious side.
A cornered enemy was often the most dangerous.
The King tapped the map.
“We believe the next major battle is approaching.”
Nobody disagreed.
The room grew quiet as everyone studied the map spread before them.
The war had entered a new phase.
And all of them could feel it.
The discussion gradually shifted as everyone around the table began examining the broader state of the war.
The liberation of Lechia had been a major victory.
The rescue of the Emperor of Rus had been another.
But neither changed the simple reality facing them.
Two kingdoms still remained under enemy control.
Rus.
And Valerion.
The King studied the map spread across the table, his finger resting over the territories currently occupied by the usurper’s forces.
“Eventually, both kingdoms must be reclaimed.”
Nobody disagreed.
The Emperor of Rus leaned forward slightly despite the discomfort it clearly caused him.
“Valerion remains the greater prize.”
The Empress nodded.
“It is the wealthiest kingdom among the three.”
Lucas looked at the map.
Valerion sat in a strategic position that connected numerous trade routes and military roads throughout the region. Whoever controlled it gained significant advantages in both resources and logistics.
The King pointed toward it.
“If we liberate Valerion, the enemy’s ability to sustain a prolonged war collapses significantly.”
“Agreed,” the Emperor replied.
The room grew thoughtful.
On paper, Valerion looked like the obvious target.
Yet none of them appeared eager to commit to that course immediately.
Lucas noticed it.
“So why not strike Valerion first?”
The question hung in the air for a moment.
Then the Empress answered.
“Distance.”
She pointed to the map.
“Lechia borders Rus.”
Her finger moved farther across the territory.
“Valerion is farther away.”
Lucas nodded slowly.
The Emperor added his own thoughts.
“Not only that.”
His finger settled over Rus.
“My kingdom is vulnerable right now.”
The room became serious again.
That was the true issue.
Rus had been weakened considerably.
The usurper had lost his greatest bargaining chip when the Emperor escaped.
Many nobles within the kingdom were likely questioning their loyalties.
The population itself would be unsettled by recent events.
The enemy’s hold over Rus was no longer secure.
The King folded his arms.
“If we move quickly, we can exploit that weakness.”
The Empress nodded.
“The longer we wait, the more time the usurper has to reinforce his position.”
Lucas studied the map carefully.
It made sense.
Lechia was secure.
Valerion was important.
But Rus was vulnerable.
And vulnerable enemies often presented opportunities that might never come again.
The Emperor spoke again.
“My people already know I am alive.”
His voice carried quiet conviction.
“News spreads quickly.”
The King agreed.
“Especially after what happened during your escape.”
The Emperor nodded.
“Many will resist the usurper if given the opportunity.”
The Empress looked toward Lucas.
“The liberation of Rus would also strengthen our position before attempting Valerion.”
Lucas understood immediately.
Retaking Rus would accomplish several objectives simultaneously.
It would restore a kingdom to its rightful ruler.
It would weaken the enemy further.
It would provide additional manpower and resources.
And it would create a stronger foundation for future operations against Valerion.
The King placed both hands upon the table.
“Our priority should be Rus.”
Nobody objected.
Even the Emperor of Rus, whose kingdom was directly involved, appeared to agree completely.
“Once Rus is secured,” the King continued, “our coalition grows stronger.”
The Empress added, “And the usurper grows weaker.”
The Emperor’s eyes hardened.
“Then we march on Valerion.”
A grim determination settled across the room.
Everyone understood that reclaiming Rus would not end the war.
It would merely open the path toward the next battlefield.
Lucas leaned back slightly in his chair.
His body still ached from everything he had endured, but his mind remained focused.
For the first time in a long while, they were no longer reacting to the enemy’s actions.
They were planning their own.
The initiative was gradually shifting.
The King looked around the table.
“Then we prepare.”
The Emperor nodded.
The Empress nodded.
Lucas nodded as well.
The decision had been made.
Rus would be next.
And once Rus was free, their eyes would turn toward Valerion.